Asian Golf Issue 231-January2020 by Asia Pacific Golf Group

An Ode To The Asian Golf Awards A Many congrat congratulations rat attul ula lations on your 20th Anniversary of the Asian Golf Awards and thank you very much for hosting a very successful Asia Pacific Golf Summit at DLF Golf & Country Club, New Delhi, India. What fabulous hosts they were too - both Stuart and I enjoyed the India experience enormously. The food and hospitality we received was simply outstanding. We appreciate that to stage an event on this size and scale is by no means an easy task. It takes a lot of time, energy and effort to put into staging a successful conference and APGS is simply hands down the best golf conference going. What sets you apart is the quality, passion and attention to detail in your summit production and the awards are priceless! As I quote every year, they are the “Oscars of the Golf Industry in Asia Pacific” – nothing else comes close. There has been a lot of excitement at Banyan Golf Club, Hua Hin with the award display in our pro shop which has been much photographed as we are proud in being recognized as one of the “Best in Asia”. Our test is to sustain our “Number One” – “Best in Asia” position and we will need to achieve this with a highly motivated team, consistent quality standards and in providing a world class golf club experience. I found your quote on the Service and Hospitality award very compelling and this will be integrated into Banyan Golf Club’s quality culture and mission for 2020. Last but not least with the event moving to Mission Hills China – it was time for you Mike and Angela to enjoy your retirement and I am sure the event next year will be outstanding at a fantastic venue and you have our continued and full support in moving forward. Finally, on behalf of Stuart and I we would like to thank you very much for continuing with what we highly regard Asia Pacific Golf Group at Banyan Golf Club, Hua Hin and at GLS Asia Limited as our “Number One” media partner. Thank you for your incomparable support from industry – we really appreciate and value our professional relationship in business and friendship personally. Wishing you a happy festive season and holiday as well as all the best for 2020! Yours sincerely,

STACEY WALTON General Manager - Director Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin, Thailand

BEST GOLF CLUB EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC

-Ä?Ä?Ä&#x201D;Ä&#x2018; Ä&#x203A; Ä&#x2014; Ä&#x2022; Ä&#x203A; Ä&#x2014;Ä&#x2022; Ä&#x2013; 5 2019 is our 10-year anniversary and we have won 10 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best in Asiaâ&#x20AC;? Awards. Banyan Golf Club, Hua Hin was presented THE ULTIMATE SERVICE/HOSPITALITY AWARD This serves to recognize the high level of creativity, passion and attention to all aspects of customer service delivered by all members of our management and team. A true mark of excellence and the commitment to provide the highest customer service standards.

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ISSUE

231

With effect from 2020, the reins of the Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS) is being handed over to the giant Mission Hills Group of China and working in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Golf Group, a new mega event has been created. Golfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new global footprint is the World Golf Expo (WGE)! Like everything that the Mission Hills Group undertakes, WGE is being planned to be a very thorough and all-encompassing event that is in keeping with the corporate ethos of the organisation which put simply, is to either be the first to do something or do it to be the biggest.

JANUARY 2020

There is no event with more glitz and glamour on the Asia PaciďŹ c golf landscape to match the Asian Golf Awards. For the last thirteen years, the Asian Golf Awards has celebrated the best amongst the best in the golf fraternity. The 2019 Asian Golf Awards was unique - everything was specially designed and constructed for the event and this included a large stage, a 45foot LED screen, lighting and sound. It was a spectacle to behold!

SPECIAL FEATURE 118 PGA TOUR: TIGER POWER DOES IT AGAIN! The Presidents Cup has come and gone. While there was great hope that Team International led by the big South African Ernie Els, would pull off a surprise win, it proved not to be. Instead, the indomitable spirit of the legendary Tiger Woods transformed Team USA into a ﬁghting machine that fought back on the ﬁnal day to retain the prestigious Presidents Cup yet again. ASIAN GOLF re-lives the nail-biting excitement of the big tournament through the PGA TOUR’s Chuah Choo Chiang.

110 FLEX TAKEN TO NEW HEIGHTS! Just when you thought that nothing could better FootJoy’s FLEX range of golf shoes, the world’s number one brand has pulled out a surprise. The new iterations have upped the ante on both design and performance for an already top pp performing range and there is no denying that the folks at FootJoy have not set s a new standard but a standard that is going to be hard to beat!

FASHION TREND 90 THE HOUSE THAT MICHAEL BUILT This is a special focus article on a fast growing international sports apparel brand that got its start in Asia twelve years ago. go. It is Fenix XCell led by a spunky young Scotsman who answers ers to the name Michael Moir. Since starting twelve years ago, Moir ir has built himself an empire that straddles the world and it’s growing owing all the time. ASIAN GOLF met up with Moir recently and talked k d about his achievements and his plans for his brand.

EQUIPMENT FOCUS 80 WILSON’S GOT YOU ON ITS MIND! For over 100 years WILSON has designed, manufactured and distributed premium and recreational golf equipment throughout the world. Since 1914, Wilson Staff irons have won 62 major championships, more than any other iron manufacturer in history. This winning tradition continues with its delivery of brandnew irons and golf balls and ASIAN GOLF takes a good look at these new arrivals.

REGULARS 4 EDITORIAL TEAM

6 SHARED THOUGHTS: FROM THE PUBLISHER | THE SOLDIER MARCHES ON!

Mike Sebastian

INTERNATIONAL ROVING EDITOR

Editor/Chief Executive Ofﬁcer [mike@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

Alan Campbell (China/Middle East) Correspondent

GLOBAL EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL

Angela Raymond

President [angela@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

Gregg Patterson

President, Tribal Magic Inc.

Andrew Wood Founder/President, Legendary Marketing

James Cronk

Raquel Arcega

Executive Creative Art Director [raquel@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

President, Cronk Group

Digital Services Tech-Know Integrators

Alice Ho

Business Executive [alice@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Alice Ho

Email: alice@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com

Myra Paras

Accounts Executive [myra@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP(2014) PTE LTD Singapore Post Centre Post Ofﬁce, P.O. Box 532, Singapore 914018 Tel: +65 6323 2800 | Fax: +65 6323 2838 Company Registration No.: 201405689G

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED No part of Asian Golf may be reproduced in any other publications, printed or published without the written permission of the publisher. Opinions in Asian Golf are the writers’ and are not necessarily endorsed by Asian Golf. Asian Golf accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. Manuscripts, photographs and artwork will not be returned unless accompanied by appropriate postage.

As we see the start of a brand-new year, let us all take a moment to recognise the incredible achievements of a professional golfer who hails from Thailand. A former paratrooper in the Thai armed forces, he embarked on a professional playing career relatively late in his life. But age was no concern to this player as he worked harder than most players on the professional circuit to earn his stripes. Earn his stripes he did and today, this golfer can look back on a very successful career and the start of a brand new playing career.

AS AN ATHLETE, I WISH TO SEE MORE

THAIS EMERGING ON THE GLOBAL ARENA. ALTHOUGH I AM 50, I STILL ENJOY PLAYING GOLF. I WILL FOCUS ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR AND SENIOR TOUR IN THE US NEXT SEASON.

he player in focus is Thailand’s popular super-star Thongchai Jaidee. A real role model for young players all over Asia, the Thai star ended his playing career on the regular tours – namely the European Tour and the Asian Tour to begin a new journey. Jaidee turned 50 last November which entitled him to try

for a playing spot on the Champions Tour in America. Recently, he shot a brilliant ﬁnal round 9-under 62 to earn full exempt sta-

tus for the 2020 PGA TOUR Champions after he finished second in the Qualifying Tournament Final Stage. This is the tour for seniors and it is good to see Jaidee get his card to play on this series while he is still fit and at the top of his game. The three-time Asian Tour No. 1 and eight-time European Tour winner was the first Thai player to play in the Presidents Cup in 2015. He holds the record for the most career earnings and is second in victories having won 13 times. He has won the Order of Merit on the Asian Tour three times during his career. Jaidee was the first man to win US$2 million, US$3 million, US$4 million, and US$5 million on the Asian Tour in prize money. His total career earnings is in excess of US$17 million. Thongchai who was the leading career money earner on the Asian Tour collected 13 wins, second most all-time behind countryman Thaworn Wiratchant. Commenting on his playing career, Jaidee said, “As an athlete, I wish to see more Thais emerging on the global arena. Although I am 50, I still enjoy playing golf. I will focus on the European Tour and Senior Tour in the US next season.” ASIAN GOLF wishes Jaidee well and we look forward to him blazing a new trail of successes as a senior playing on the Champions Tour.

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ence, golf’s new global footprint is the World Golf Expo (WGE)! Like everything that the Mission Hills Group undertakes, WGE is being planned to be a very thorough and allencompassing event that is in keeping with the corporate ethos of the organisation which put simply, is to either be the first to do something or do it to be the biggest. This is a throw-back to the philosophy of the founder of the Mission Hills Group, Dr. David Chu who embarked on his dream project 30 years ago to promote international goodwill through golf and to link the East and the West, and to build trust and friendship. In this context, WGE is definitely the first of its kind and is planned to become the biggest. In terms of scale and

scope, it is being planned to be a totally unique event. “While APGS was a very successful event, we see WGE as being a golf event that will cover many areas,” said Tenniel Chu, the vice-chairman of the Mission Hills Group and the chairman of the WGE Organising Committee. According to Chu, WGE is being structured to address the following key pillars:

A global golf trade exposition; An international golf business summit; An international agronomy symposium; A global golf awards recognition event; A series of professional and amateur golf tournaments;

For thirteen years, the Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS) strived hard to create an identity for Asian golf and a special sense of purpose and direction for the industry, especially the golf club industry. Whether it has achieved its objective, is not for its parent company, the Asia Pacific Golf Group (APGG) to decide. It is for the industry at large to pass judgement. Has the industry cast its vote? To some extent it has in that many have acknowledged that APGS has played a significant role in providing a platform upon which various industry players have been able to network and, in some cases, bring about change and improvement. This is especially significant when one considers that Asia, unlike North America, Europe and Australia is like an orphan. With the exception of Japan, the large continent does not have home-grown governing bodies that set rules and guidelines for the Asian industry. This has gone on for too long and the pathway that APGS has created seems to have set up some sort of a foundation for the Asian industry to start taking charge of its own destiny. To do this and to do it effectively, there is a need for power, muscle, and a huge presence in the marketplace. It is for this reason that APGS has elected to escalate the Summit to a whole new level and in the process, to engage with a partner who can play a significant role in helping to bring about the realisation of the original APGS goal. With effect from 2020, the reins of APGS is being handed over to the giant Mission Hills Group of China and working in collaboration with APGG, a new mega event has been created. The new event is just a normal progression of APGS but a paradigm shift in terms of scale, size and mission. The new event is designed to not only give golf a new sense of purpose in Asia but to reach out to all stake holders around the world and to help bring about a unification for the general betterment of the golf industry.

THE PLUS FACTORS FOR STAGING WGE IN HAINAN ARE SIMPLY OVERWHELMING WHEN YOU CONSIDER

MISSION HILLS IN HAIKOU WHICH IS PART OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST GOLF RESORT. – MIKE SEBASTIAN THAT IT IS HOME TO

Collectively, Chu envisions WGE to “take on carnival proportions” designed to showcase the latest and the best in all things golf and to also stimulate and encourage innovative thinking relating to promoting the growth of golf on a global scale. “There has never been a better time to promote golf in this region given the fact that Asia and the Pacific region is still the world’s fastest growing major region, contributing more than two-thirds to global growth,” Chu pointed out. Added to the positive economic outlook, the Asia Pacific is also a large and growing market in terms of population density. “This region is home to 60 per cent of the world’s population – some 4.3 billion people – and includes the world’s most populous countries, China and India and you can now understand why the region is without doubt the final frontier for golf,” Chu explained. The WGE’s permanent base will be the city of Haikou, the capital of Hainan. Its location is very central to all of Asia and its year-round tropical climate makes it a perfect setting as the golf capital of the region. Another supportive reason for basing the WGE in Haikou according to Chu is that “Hainan has been given the task of establishing a basic free-trade port system by 2025 and a world-class freetrade port by 2035 and this will be another big boon to the global golf industry.” Against this strong business backdrop, Mike Sebastian, CEO of APGG and the producer for WGE said, “The plus factors for staging WGE in Hainan are simply overwhelming when you consider that it is home to Mission Hills in Haikou which is part of the world’s largest golf resort.” Mission Hills Haikou is purpose-built for WGE and it has everything to offer as a true global showcase for golf. The dates for the WGE are set for October 14 – 16, 2020. “While the show dates are set for October 14 to 16, the intention is to have a host of activities that will run concurrently with the main core events of WGE,” said Sebastian. The WGE trade show exposition is slated to open on October 14 and will run through to October 16. The first day will be exclusively for the golf trade and invited guests. The other days will be open to the general public. “We expect an excellent turn-out of golf enthusiasts and the golf trade

MIKE SEBAS

to attend the trade show from China, the ASEAN region, Japan and South Korea,” according to Sebastian. “One of the stand-out features of the WGE trade show is that we will have an area dedicated for open-air demonstrations of various agronomical products which is going to be truly a unique experience for golf course operators and besides this, we will also be having a special demo-day for golf club equipment where consumers can actually test golf clubs at a driving range,” Chu revealed. The World Golf Summit, the business conference component of WGE will be staged over two days, starting on October 15 and culminating on October 16. “The World Golf Summit will be a two-day deep-dive event in that it will be set up by a major theme-setting keynote address followed by half-day workshop sessions focused on key business topics impacting the industry,” said Sebastian.

STIAN

TENNIEL CHU

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO PROMOTE GOLF IN THIS REGION GIVEN THE FACT THAT ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGION IS STILL THE WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING MAJOR REGION, CONTRIBUTING MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS TO GLOBAL GROWTH. – TENNIEL CHU The Global Golf Awards is expected to be an expansion on the 20-year long Asian Golf Awards which has established itself as the mainstay on the Asian golf landscape. “It is a natural progression for us to grow the recognition event into a global extravaganza and given the scope of the WGE, it makes good sense for us to create a truly global recognition event that comes with a long and trusted pedigree”, declared Chu. The Global Golf Awards will be launched via an on-line poll that will run for a three-month period starting on March 1 through to the end of May 2020.

The Mission Hills Haikou facility is a sprawling complex that is home to four ﬁve-star hotels, shopping malls, ten world-class golf courses, Movietown, which is a huge tourist attraction. It is also home to the FC Barcelona Academy and museum and the NBA Academy and museum to mention a few attractions. More details will be forthcoming as planning for the mega event unfolds. In the meantime, keep the show dates free and make sure that you are a part of a historic milestone – the World Golf Expo 2020!

There is no event with more g the last thirteen years, the As the recognition event has a h event in 2007 when the Asia in eight Asian nations, with t Club in Gurugram, India. Over and network and it is an even previous years, it was not sta in a giant fully air-conditioned Club. Everything was speciall screen, lighting and sound. It

glitz and glamour on the Asia Paciﬁc golf landscape to match the Asian Golf Awards. For ian Golf Awards has celebrated the best amongst the best in the golf fraternity. Although history dating back twenty years, it was only formalised as an industry-wide recognition Paciﬁc Golf Summit was born. Since then, the Asian Golf Awards has been celebrated he most recent being staged at the luxurious, multi-award winning DLF Golf & Country r the years, it is the one event that has drawn the industry to come together to celebrate nt that is always staged in style. The 2019 Asian Golf Awards was unique in that unlike ged in the plush settings of a hotel’s grand ballroom. Instead, it was successfully staged d marquee tent that was specially constructed on the grounds of the DLF Golf & Country ly designed and constructed for the event and this included a large stage, a 45-foot LED t was a spectacle to behold!

MAKE IT THE BEST IN THE SERIES AND MAKE IT A TRULY MEMORABLE EVENT!

– AAKASH OHRI

ore than 300 award winners and guests

three-month period. The winners are ascertained on a

attended a gala banquet that was hosted

quantitative basis based on the number of valid votes

by the DLF Golf & Country Club for the

received. “This is the most equitable way to run the annual

2019 Asian Golf Awards. From the very

poll and the ﬁnal outcome is determined by the popular

outset of the planning for the awards,

vote – the same way some of the world’s great democratic

Aakash Ohri, the event’s host and the Executive Director of

elections are conducted,” said Mike Sebastian, CEO of

DLF Home Developers said, “Make it the best in the series

APGG, the owner and producer of both APGS and the Asian

and make it a truly memorable event!” Ohri got exactly

Golf Awards.

what he asked for. The staging had a Bollywood-touch to it.

The Asian Golf Awards is widely regarded as the

The production was slick. The food served was ﬁt for ma-

“Oscars” of the golf industry in the Asia Paciﬁc and it is an

harajahs. All told, the 2019 edition of the Asian Golf Awards

event that many in the golf club industry recognize as the

was a major success.

yardstick by which success and excellence of golf clubs and

Unlike most award programmes where a fee is charged to attend or to pay for the award received, this

individuals are measured with. “The Mission Hills Group regards the awards as one of

is not the case with the Asian Golf Awards. There are no

the most prestigious awards in the golf industry across the

monetary payments required. Attendance at the Gala

Asia Paciﬁc Region,” is how Dr. Ken Chu, Group Chairman

Awards dinner is by invitation to the qualiﬁed winners and

& CEO of the Mission Hills Group and the most powerful

all awards presented are fully paid for by the Asian Golf

man in Asian golf describes the event.

Awards Organising Committee. Also, success at the annual Asian Golf Awards is determined by an on-line poll that is conducted over a

Planning for the annual awards normally commences early in the year and the voting is conducted on-line for a period of three months each year. For the 2019 awards,

THIS IS THE MOST EQUITABLE WAY TO RUN THE ANNUAL POLL AND THE FINAL OUTCOME IS DETERMINED BY THE POPULAR VOTE

– THE SAME WAY SOME OF THE WORLD’S GREAT DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED.

– MIKE SEBASTIAN

THE ASIAN GOLF AWARDS IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE “OSCARS” OF THE GOLF INDUSTRY IN THE ASIA PACIFIC AND IT IS AN EVENT THAT MANY IN THE GOLF CLUB INDUSTRY RECOGNIZE AS THE YARDSTICK BY WHICH SUCCESS AND EXCELLENCE OF GOLF CLUBS AND INDIVIDUALS ARE MEASURED WITH. the voting was unprecedented. In fact, the 20th anniversary

develop a benchmark to measure excellence and the best

edition produced a record number of valid votes. The num-

way to do this is to create a peer group of clubs renowned

ber of valid votes received this year smashed all previous

for their commitment to excellence to serve as the yardstick

records and our 20th Anniversary record hit 287,223 votes. It

for others.”

just goes to show how popular the event has become. There is a total of 47 categories and for 2019, which

For 2019, the Asia Paciﬁc Order of Zenith recognised the following additions:

includes the Asia Paciﬁc Order of Zenith, the highest and

TANAH MERAH COUNTRY CLUB (SINGAPORE)

most prestigious award reserved for a select few golf clubs

YAS LINKS ABU DHABI (UAE)

in Asia. Given the long and impressive history of the Asian Golf Awards, it was generally felt that the time had come

KOTA PERMAI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (MALAYSIA) Each of the premier clubs on the award list has distin-

for the creation of a special award that would seek out and

guished and excelled itself in terms of operating a golf club

honour the absolute best amongst the best. A unique award

noted for the quality of its golf course, its club house facili-

designed to recognise distinguished golf clubs and perma-

ties and services and its commitment to deliver a quality

nently enshrine these clubs in a hallowed class all their

golﬁng experience to both members and guests alike.

own. Hence, the creation of the Asia Paciﬁc Order of Zenith. Commenting on the special award, Mike Sebastian,

As the Asian Golf Awards gets ready to enter a new era, some reactions were sought from a select group of leaders

chief executive ofﬁcer of the Asia Paciﬁc Golf Group, the

from the golf club industry. A group that has always done well

owner and producer of the programme said, “Asia needs to

at the awards is the Mission Hills Group of China, the world’s

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GIVEN THE LONG AND IMPRESSIVE HISTORY OF THE ASIAN GOLF AWARDS, IT WAS GENERALLY FELT THAT THE TIME HAD COME FOR THE CREATION OF A SPECIAL AWARD THAT WOULD SEEK OUT AND HONOUR THE ABSOLUTE BEST AMONGST THE BEST.

A UNIQUE AWARD DESIGNED TO RECOGNISE DISTINGUISHED GOLF CLUBS AND PERMANENTLY ENSHRINE THESE CLUBS IN A HALLOWED CLASS ALL THEIR OWN. HENCE, THE CREATION OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ORDER OF ZENITH.

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BEST MANAGED GOLF CLUB IN ASIA PACIFIC 3. Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (Malaysia) R

BEST GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR 3. LEE CHEE KEEN, Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (Malaysia)

BEST CADDIE OF THE YEAR 3. EMIA NAWARITA, Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (Malaysia)

BEST MARCOMM MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1. VIVIEN GNANANANTHAM, Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (Malaysia)

ASIAN GOLF AWARDS - THE ZENITH ZONE 2019 KOTA PERMAI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (MALAYSIA)

BEST COURSE IN MALAYSIA 2. Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club

BEST GOLF MANAGER OF THE YEAR 2. ONG SENG KIAT, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club (Malaysia)

BEST HR MANAGER OF THE YEAR 2. EVELYN WONG, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club (Malaysia)

THE MISSION HILLS GROUP REGARDS

initiatives to be created to

THE AWARDS AS ONE OF THE MOST

developments,” said Ten-

PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS IN THE GOLF INDUSTRY

enhance the golf industry niel Chu, Vice-Chairman

ASIA PACIFIC REGION. IT BRINGS HONOUR TO THE AWARD-WINNING ORGANIZATION,

of the Mission Hills Group.

AND THIS ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGES MUCH MORE

recipient of a special

ACROSS THE

INITIATIVES TO BE CREATED TO ENHANCE THE GOLF INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS.

– TENNIEL CHU

For 2019 The Mission Hills Group was the proud award – The World’s Best Golf Resort. This award serves to recognize the group for operating 22

largest golf resort with operations in Shenzhen and Dongguan

golf courses in Shenzhen, Dongguan and Haikou (Hainan)

on the Chinese mainland and Haikou on the island of Hainan.

against a sprawling backdrop spread out over 44 square

“The Mission Hills Group regards the awards as one of

miles that offers a total golﬁng, shopping, entertainment,

the most prestigious awards in the golf industry across the

recreational, leisure, hotels, business centres, sports mu-

Asia Paciﬁc Region. It brings honour to the award-winning

seums and dining experience that is unmatched anywhere

organization, and this especially encourages much more

in the world.

The highlight of the Asian Golf Awards was the Asia Paciﬁc Golf Hall of Fame which witnessed the induction of two major icons of the game of golf. The ﬁrst recipient was Dr. Pawan Munjal, Chairman, Managing Director

one-hole knockout contest played under lights, at three prominent European Tour events. The second recipient is Mr. Du Sha, Chairman, Paciﬁc Links International. His company owns golf clubs in the

& CEO Hero MotoCorp (India). Dr. Munjal, heads up the

US and through its network of owned, afﬁliate and recipro-

world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters

cal clubs Paciﬁc Links controls hundreds of golf clubs

and he co-hosts the ‘Hero World Challenge’, at Albany in

worldwide. As of 2018, Mr. Sha’s Paciﬁc Links had access

the Bahamas, a PGA sanctioned Tiger Woods invitational

to over 700 golf properties located in 34 countries around

event. He also hosts the ‘Hero Challenge’ – the innovative

the world.

BEST COURSE IN CHINA (INCLUDING HONG KONG AND MACAU)

BEST GOLF ACADEMY IN ASIA PACIFIC

1. Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou, Lava Fields Course

1. PGA Of America Golf Academy at Mission Hills (China)

BEST GOLF RESORT IN THE WORLD

BEST CLUB GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou (China)

3. SIMON YANG, Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou (China)

BEST CLUBHOUSE IN ASIA PACIFIC

BEST PROFESSIONAL GOLF COACH IN ASIA PACIFIC

1. Mission Hills Golf Club Dongguan (China)

1. KEVIN SMELTZ, PGA Academy at Mission Hills Golf Club Shenzhen (China) 2. JOHN WITHER, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

BEST PRO-SHOP IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Mission Hills Golf Club Dongguan (China)

BEST LOCKER ROOM (MALE & FEMALE) IN ASIA PACIFIC

BEST GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR

3. Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou, Lava Fields Course (China)

1. KOMSON THANAVUTH, Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou (China)

BEST GOLF CLUB EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC

2019 ASIAN GOLF’S MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE

Ê Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou (China)

BEST DRIVING RANGE IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Mission Hills Golf Club Dongguan (China)

Ê DR. KEN CHU, Group Chairman & CEO, Mission Hills Group, China Ê TENNIEL CHU, Group Vice Chairman, Mission Hills Group, China

2019 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS - S

ASIA PACIFIC GOLF LIFE-TIM

CHOO WEE KHIANG Ã&#x160; ARJUN A

GLOBAL GOLF VISION AWARD SAUDI GOLF FEDERATION

SPECIAL AWARD INDUCTEES

ME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

ATWAL Ê CHAMPIKA N. SAYAL

THE ASIA PACIFIC LEADERSHIP AWARD TRAN CAM NHUNGÊ LE VAN KIEM

BEST COURSE IN VIETNAM 1. KN Golf Links - Cam Ranh

BEST NEW 9-HOLE GOLF COURSE IN THE ASIA PACIFIC Ê KN Golf Links - Cam Ranh, Oasis Course (Vietnam)

THE ASIA PACIFIC LEADERSHIP AWARD TRAN CAM NHUNG LE VAN KIEM

2019 ASIAN GOLF’S MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE

Ê LE VAN KIEM, Chairman, KN Investment Group, Vietnam

2019 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS - S

ASIA PACIFIC SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE GOLD STANDARD AWARD NGUYEN THI NGA

ASIA PACIFIC PIONEER IN GOLF AWARD RISHI NARAIN

ASIA PACIFIC GO

ALV

THE ULTIMATE SERVICE/

BANYAN GOLF CLU

SPECIAL AWARD INDUCTEES

OLF VISION AWARD

VIN CHAU

/HOSPITALITY AWARD B (THAILAND)

ASIA PACIFIC GOLF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER DON LAM

THE ASIA PACIFIC CUSTODIAN OF THE ENVIRONMENT AWARD DLF GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

BEST MAINTAINED COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC 2. Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC Ê Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

BEST GOLF CLUB EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC Ê Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

BEST FOOD AND BEVERAGE EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC Ê Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

BBEST FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER OF THE YEAR 22. NATTAWAT THAMEURUNGKUL, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

BBEST PROFESSIONAL GOLF COACH IN ASIA PACIFIC 22. JOHN WITHER, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

BBEST CADDIE OF THE YEAR 22. KANJANAMAS SUKSAMRAN, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

BBEST MARCOMM MANAGER OF THE YEAR 33. BHANUJSAYA DANGSUWAN, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

BBEST HR MANAGER OF THE YEAR 33. KWANDEE THANONTIP, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

TTHE ULTIMATE SERVICE/HOSPITALITY AWARD BBANYAN GOLF CLUB, THAILAND

BEST COURSE IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 1. The Empire Hotel & Country Club 2. Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) Golf Course 3. Jerudong Park Country Club

BEST COURSE IN CAMBODIA 1. Angkor Golf Resort 2. Phokeethra Country Club 3. Siem Reap Booyoung Country Club

BEST COURSE IN CHINA (INCLUDING HONG KONG AND MACAU) 1. Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou, Lava Fields Course 2. Shanqin Bay Golf Club 3. Evergrande Shadow Creek Beijing

BEST COURSE IN CHINESE TAIPEI 1. Ta Shee Golf & Country Club 2. Miramar Golf Country Club 3. Taiwan Golf & Country Club

BEST COURSE IN INDIA 1. Oxford Golf Resort 2. Clover Greens 3. Eagleton - The Golf Village

BEST COURSE IN INDONESIA 1. Rainbow Hills Golf Club 2. Riverside Golf Club 3. Emeralda Golf Club

BEST COURSE IN JAPAN 1. Kawana Hotel Golf Course 2. Yokohama International Golf Club 3. Kasumigaseki Country Club, East Course

BEST COURSE IN SOUTH KOREA 1. Sky72 Golf & Resort, Hanul Course 2. The Club at Nine Bridges 3. Jack Nicklaus Golf Club

BEST COURSE IN LAOS 1. Long Vien Golf Club 2. Lakeview Vientiane Golf Club 3. SEA Games Golf Club

2019 ASIAN GOLF A

AWARDS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY

BEST COURSE IN SOUTH KOREA 1. Sky72 Golf & Resort, Hanul Course

BEST PRO-SHOP IN ASIA PACIFIC 3. Sky72 Golf & Resort, Classic Course (South Korea)

BEST CADDIE OF THE YEAR 1. KIM JI YOU, Sky72 Golf & Resort (South Korea)

2019 ASIAN GOLF’S MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE

Ê KIM YOUNG JE, President & CEO, Sky72 Golf & Resort, South Korea

BEST COURSE IN MALAYSIA 1. Saujana Golf & Country Club 2. Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club 3. The Els Club Desaru Coast

BEST COURSE IN MIDDLE EAST 1. Emirates Golf Club, Majlis Course 2. The Els Club Dubai Sports City 3. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club

BEST COURSE IN MYANMAR 1. Pun Hlaing Golf Club 2. Royal Mingalardon Golf & Country Club 3. Bagan Golf Resort

BEST COURSE IN THE PHILIPPINES 1. Mt. Malarayat Golf & Country Club 2. Sta. Elena Golf & Country Estate 3. Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club

BEST COURSE IN SINGAPORE 1. The Singapore Island Country Club 2. Marina Bay Golf Course 3. National Service Resort & Country Club

BEST COURSE ON THE SUB-CONTINENT (INCLUDING BANGLADESH, NEPAL, PAKISTAN AND SRI LANKA) 1. Shangri-Laâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa (Sri Lanka) 2. Karachi Golf Club, Blue & Red Courses (Pakistan) 3. Kurmitola Golf Club (Bangladesh)

BEST COURSE IN THAILAND 1. Siam Country Club 2. Lotus Valley Golf Resort 3. Amata Spring Country Club

BEST COURSE IN VIETNAM 1. KN Golf Links - Cam Ranh 2. BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort 3. Vinpearl Golf Nha Trang

2019 ASIAN GOLF A

AWARDS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY

BEST COURSE IN SINGAPORE 1. The Singapore Island Country Club

BEST LOCKER ROOM (MALE & FEMALE) IN ASIA PACIFIC 2. The Singapore Island Country Club (Singapore)

BEST CLUB GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1. DESMOND TAY, The Singapore Island Country Club (Singapore)

BE PART OF THE SICC EXPERIENCE

Fancy a Whole-In-One Experience over two great locations? Be it a game of corporate golf near the nature reserve, a workout on the latest gym equipment or an intimate evening of wine and dine - we have something for your business and family needs.

Be a part of this exclusive club and get your one-year term membership at only at $24,000 now! No monthly subscription fee • Four iconic golf courses • 12 F&B outlets • Corporate functions and retreats • Various sports and recreational facilities • 60 reciprocal and afﬁliated clubs overseas

Attractive member referral beneﬁts available. For enquiries, please call 6431 8337 or email membership@sicc.org.sg.

2019 ASIAN GOLF BEST GOLF RESORT IN THE WORLD Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou (China)

BEST GOLF DESTINATION IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Vietnam 2. Thailand 3. China

BEST GOLF RESORT IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Vinpearl Golf Nam Hoi An (Vietnam) 2. Bali National Golf Club (Indonesia) 3. The Els Club Desaru Coast (Malaysia)

BEST CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore) 2. Siam Country Club (Thailand) 3. Saujana Golf & Country Club (Malaysia)

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS BEING PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE DOING AND ALWAYS GIVE IT YOUR ALL.

THAT IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS.

F AWARDS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

BEST CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC

BEST FOOD AND BEVERAGE EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC

1. Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore)

Ã&#x160; Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore)

BEST MAINTAINED COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC

BEST GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR

1. Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore)

BEST MANAGED GOLF CLUB IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore)

2. RODNEY MCKEOWN, Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore)

BEST MARCOMM MANAGER OF THE YEAR 2. DENNIS CHONG, Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore)

TOURNAMENT READY 365

EXPERIENCE GOLF AT SENTOSA Sentosa Golf Club. Home to two of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest championship golf courses. Host to world-renowned tournaments.

Sentosa Golf Club, 27 Bukit Manis Road, Singapore 099892

T: (65) 6275 0090 | WWW.SENTOSAGOLF.COM

@SentosaGolfClub

World's Best Golf Club

2019 ASIAN GOLF BEST CLUBHOUSE IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Mission Hills Golf Club Dongguan (China) 2. TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 3. Thai Country Club (Thailand)

BEST MAINTAINED COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore) 2. Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) 3. Marina Bay Golf Course (Singapore)

BEST PRO-SHOP IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Mission Hills Golf Club Dongguan (China) 2. TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 3. Sky72 Golf & Resort, Classic Course (South Korea)

BEST MANAGED GOLF CLUB IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore) 2. Thai Country Club (Thailand) 3. Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (Malaysia)

BEST LOCKER ROOM (MALE & FEMALE) IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Thai Country Club (Thailand) 2. The Singapore Island Country Club (Singapore) 3. Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou, Lava Fields Course (China)

BEST COURSE ARCHITECT IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Nicklaus Design 2. Schmidt-Curley Design, Inc. 3. Greg Norman Golf Course Design

BEST RENOVATED COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC ÊLaem Chabang International Country Club (Thailand) Ê Phokeethra Country Club (Cambodia)

F AWARDS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

2019 ASIAN GO BEST NEW COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC Ê Hoiana Shores Golf Club (Vietnam) Ê Parahyangan Golf (Indonesia) Ê Chee Chan Golf Resort (Thailand)

BEST NEW 9-HOLE GOLF COURSE IN THE ASIA PACIFIC Ê KN Golf Links - Cam Ranh, Oasis Course (Vietnam)

BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC Ê Marina Bay Golf Course (Singapore) Ê The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course Limited (Hong Kong) Ê Southlinks Golf Club (Philippines)

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC Ê Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) Ê Marina Bay Golf Course (Singapore) Ê Lotus Valley Golf Resort (Thailand)

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WATCH THINGS HAPPEN, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WONDER WHAT HAPPENED.

TO BE SUC-

CESSFUL, YOU NEED TO BE A PERSON WHO MAKES THINGS HAPPEN.

OLF AWARDS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

BEST CLUBHOUSE IN ASIA PACIFIC 3. Thai Country Club (Thailand)

BEST MANAGED GOLF CLUB IN ASIA PACIFIC 2. Thai Country Club (Thailand)

BEST LOCKER ROOM (MALE & FEMALE) IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Thai Country Club (Thailand)

BEST FOOD AND BEVERAGE EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC Ã&#x160; Thai Country Club (Thailand)

BEST GOLF MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1. CHAVALIT SURANGSEE, Thai Country Club (Thailand)

BEST FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1. PICHAYAPAK CHAMKRACHANG, Thai Country Club (Thailand)

For 2019 Thai Country Club is proud to accept awards for The

BEST

Best Locker Room (Male & Female) ƂÃ > *>V wV Best Food and Beverage Experience ƂÃ > *>V wV Best Managed Golf Club ƂÃ > *>V wV ÀÃÌ ,Õ iÀ 1«® Best Clubhouse ƂÃ > *>V wV -iV ` ,Õ iÀ 1«® From all of us at Thai Country Club... Thank You!

Owned & Managed by The Peninsula Hotels / > Õ ÌÀÞ ÕL ÜÜÜ°Ì > V Õ ÌÀÞV ÕL°V /i \ ³ÈÈ În® xÈÓ Çää µÕ ÀÞJÌ > V Õ ÌÀÞV ÕL°V

2019 ASIAN GO BEST GOLF CLUB EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC Ê Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) Ê Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou (China) Ê Nikanti Golf Club (Thailand)

BEST FOOD AND BEVERAGE EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC Ê Thai Country Club (Thailand) Ê Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) Ê Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore)

BEST DRIVING RANGE IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Mission Hills Golf Club Dongguan (China) 2. Phothalai Leisure Park (Thailand) 3. Oxford Golf Resort (India)

BEST GOLF ACADEMY IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. PGA Of America Golf Academy at Mission Hills (China) 2. MST Golf Academy (Malaysia) 3. DLF Golf & Country Club (India)

SUCCESS IS NO ACCIDENT. IT IS HARD WORK, PERSEVERANCE, LEARNING, STUDYING, SACRIFICE AND MOST OF ALL, LOVE OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING OR LEARNING TO DO.

OLF AWARDS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

2019 ASIAN GOLF BEST CLUB GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1. DESMOND TAY, The Singapore Island Country Club (Singapore) 2. DEREK SCHADE, Lotus Valley Golf Resort (Thailand) JINDER AUJLA, Warren Golf & Country Club (Singapore) 3. SIMON YANG, Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou (China)

BEST GOLF MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1. CHAVALIT SURANGSEE, Thai Country Club (Thailand) 2. ONG SENG KIAT, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club (Malaysia) 3. STANLEY HO, Marina Bay Golf Course (Singapore)

BEST FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1. PICHAYAPAK CHAMKRACHANG, Thai Country Club (Thailand) 2. NATTAWAT THAMEURUNGKUL, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) 3. RAMIRIZ OSMAN, TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

A PERSON HAS TO REMEMBER THAT THE ROAD TO SUCCESS IS ALWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

YOU HAVE

TO GET THAT THROUGH YOUR HEAD.

THAT IT IS

NOT EASY BECOMING SUCCESSFUL.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; STEVE HARVEY

F AWARDS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SPECIAL CATEGORIES

BEST COURSE IN SINGAPORE 2. Marina Bay Golf Course

BEST MAINTAINED COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC 3. Marina Bay Golf Course (Singapore)

BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC Ê Marina Bay Golf Course (Singapore)

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC Ê Marina Bay Golf Course (Singapore)

BEST GOLF MANAGER OF THE YEAR 3. STANLEY HO, Marina Bay Golf Course (Singapore)

EXHILARATING PLAY at an oasis in the city

Premier Golf Facilities & Gastronomic Delights

Practice Facilities • A unique par-24, natural grass 6-hole putting course, spacious putting and chipping greens, and a four-tiered state-of-the-art driving range await the discerning golfer!

Canopy Café • The place for you to relax, enjoy a meal and a bird’s eye view of the golf course and iconic city skyline. With a variety of local, Japanese and Western food, you will be spoilt for choice!

PROBABLY PROB PR OBAB ABLY LY TTHE HE BBEST EST ES ST PU PPUBLIC UBL BLIC IC GGOLF OLF CCOURSE OURSE IINN AASIA SIA ONE COURSE, TWO CONFIGURATIONS • SINGAPORE’S FIRST AND ONLY PAR 6 • SIGNATURE ISLAND GREEN DESIGN PICTURESQUE VIEW OF THE CITY SKYLINE • UNIQUELY DESIGNED 6-HOLE PUTTING COURSE • NIGHT GOLF LARGEST STATE-OF-THE-ART DRIVING RANGE IN SINGAPORE

ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

• BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC • BEST VALUE FOR MONEY EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC

80 Rhu Cross, Singapore 437437

(65) 6345 7788

(65) 6345 0657

• TOP 3 BEST COURSE IN SINGAPORE • TOP 3 BEST MAINTAINED COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC enquiry@mbgc.com.sg

www.mbgc.com.sg

2019 ASIAN GOLF BEST PROFESSIONAL GOLF COACH IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. KEVIN SMELTZ, PGA Academy at Mission Hills Golf Club Shenzhen (China) 2. JOHN WITHER, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

BEST GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR 1. KOMSON THANAVUTH, Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou (China) 2. RODNEY MCKEOWN, Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore) 3. LEE CHEE KEEN, Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (Malaysia)

BEST CADDIE OF THE YEAR 1. KIM JI YOU, Sky72 Golf & Resort (South Korea) 2. KANJANAMAS SUKSAMRAN, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) 3. EMIA NAWARITA, Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (Malaysia)

BEST MARCOMM MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1. VIVIEN GNANANANTHAM, Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (Malaysia) 2. DENNIS CHONG, Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore) 3. BHANUJSAYA DANGSUWAN, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

BEST HR MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1. AZHAN ABDUL KADIR, TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 2. EVELYN WONG, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club (Malaysia) 3. KWANDEE THANONTIP, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

F AWARDS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SPECIAL CATEGORIES

2019 ASIAN GOLF BEST COURSE EQUIPMENT/AGRONOMY SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR 1. SPORTS TURF SOLUTIONS 2. RAIN BIRD 3. E-Z-GO

MOST POPULAR GOLF EQUIPMENT BRAND (DRIVER, WOODS/HYBRIDS, PUTTERS) 1. PING 2. TAYLORMADE 3. CALLAWAY

MOST POPULAR GOLF BALL 1. TITLEIST PRO V AND PRO V1X 2. BRIDGESTONE 3. TAYLORMADE

MOST POPULAR GOLF APPAREL/GOLF SHOES/ ACCESSORIES 1. NIKE 2. ADIDAS 3. FOOTJOY

THE PRICE OF SUCCESS IS HARD WORK, DEDICATION TO THE JOB AT HAND, AND THE DETERMINATION THAT WHETHER WE WIN OR LOSE, WE HAVE APPLIED THE BEST OF OURSELVES TO THE TASK AT HAND.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; VINCE LOMBARDI

F AWARDS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SPECIAL CATEGORIES

2019 ASIAN GO Ê DR. KEN CHU, Group Chairman & CEO, Mission Hills Group, China Ê TENNIEL CHU, Group Vice Chairman, Mission Hills Group, China Ê DR. PAWAN MUNJAL, Chairman, Managing Director & CEO of Hero MotoCorp., India Ê DU SHA, Chairman, Paciﬁc Links International, Canada Ê KIM YOUNG-CHAN, Founder & Chairman, Golfzon Newdin Group, South Korea Ê SANTI BHIROMBHAKDI, President & CEO, SINGHA Corporation, Thailand Ê ENRIQUE ‘RICKY’ K. RAZON JR., Chairman and CEO of the Manila-listed company International Container Terminal Services, Inc., Philippines Ê TRINH VAN QUYET, Chairman, Board of Management, FLC Group, Vietnam Ê MADAME NGUYEN THI NGA, Chairman, BRG Group, Vietnam Ê KIM YOUNG JE, President & CEO, Sky72 Golf & Resort, South Korea Ê LE VAN KIEM, Chairman, KN Investment Group, Vietnam Ê GAUTAM THAPAR, President of Professional Golf Tour Of India, India Ê JIMMY MASRIN, Chairman, Asian Tour, Indonesia Ê MASAHIRO KURAMOTO, Chairman of Japan Professional Golfers Association, Japan Ê ALVIN CHAU, Chairman, Suncity Group Holdings Limited, China Ê DON LAM, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Ofﬁcer of VinaCapital / Chairman of the Board, Hoi An South Development Limited, Vietnam

OLFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE

DISCOVER BANDUNG Where a pure symphony h of gol olf and signature Javanese hospi p tality shi hine n .

Jl. Saridewata No. 1. Kota Baru Parahyangan, Bandung 40714, Indonesia T. (+62 22) 2110 2878 | www.parahyangangolf.com Parahyangan Golf

@parahyangangolf

What’s trending with most golf equipment manufacturers is an obsession with designing and producing the “best equipment” in the world. There is nothing wrong with producing real cutting edge products but more often than not, these are products that impact a very small segment of golfers. Oftentimes, these products are designed for the better player but not so for the average golfer, the type of golfer who makes up the largest proportion of golfers the world over. It’s a welcome change when a manufacturer steps up and produces clubs and golf balls that offer the promise of game improvement for the largest base of players. That company is WILSON. For over 100 years, it has designed, manufactured and distributed premium and recreational golf equipment throughout the world. Since 1914, Wilson Staff irons have won 62 major championships, more than any other iron manufacturer in history. This winning tradition continues with its delivery of brand new irons and golf balls and ASIAN GOLF takes a good look at these new arrival.

opping the list of new arrivals from WILSON is the D7 Forged Irons which is designed to deliver increased distance and the forged feel at impact. This is achieved through WILSON’s Power Hole and Power Chamber technologies. The D7 Forged Irons are designed with minimal offset, a thinner topline, and an ideal choice of blade length and face height. Compared to the inaugural D7 set, the D7 Forged Irons present true tour-level appeal for a great look behind the golf ball. Golfers can appreciate the desirable forged feel thanks to the irons’ soft 8620 carbon steel face supported by a urethane-ﬁlled power chamber and V-shaped cavity. “Combining the distance technologies from the original D7 line with the aesthetics of Wilson Staff’s players irons, the D7 Forged Irons provide an ideal

blend of maximum distance and ultimate feel for golfers looking for effortless distance and ultimate control,” said Jon Pergande, Manager of Golf Club Innovation. “Through the optimized sole and face thickness, urethane-ﬁlled Power Chamber and centered power holes, the new D7 Forged Irons give golfers remarkable ball speeds, shot-making ability, and a soft forged feel across the entire club face.” The urethane-ﬁlled Power Chamber and new Power Hole structure in the sole of the new D7 Forged Irons are designed to reduce vibration for a more solid and consistent feel at impact. In addition, the thin face and thicker sole, paired with the centered Power Holes, provides game improvement attributes including effortless distance, higher ball speeds with shot-making launch angles and spin rates.

THROUGH THE OPTIMIZED SOLE AND FACE THICKNESS, URETHANE-FILLED

POWER CHAMBER AND CENTERED POWER HOLES, THE NEW D7 FORGED IRONS GIVE GOLFERS REMARKABLE BALL SPEEDS, SHOT-MAKING ABILITY, AND A SOFT FORGED FEEL ACROSS THE ENTIRE CLUB FACE.

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THE NEW STAFF MODEL AND STAFF MODEL HIGH-TOE WEDGES DELIVER A CLEAN DESIGN, AND PRECISION MILLED CLUBFACES TO GIVE GOLFERS A BOOST IN CONFIDENCE IN THEIR SHORT GAME,

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Next on the new product launch deck is the all-new Staff Model Wedges and the Wilson Staff Model High-Toe Wedges. The Staff Model wedges are a Tour-inspired line and include a hightoe option to offer advanced players added performance around the green. It features soft-forged 8620 Carbon Steel construction and provides golfers with a soft touch for increased feel. Designed with machine-engraved scorelines in the precision-milled face, the wedges create tour-calibre spin and control that the most demanding golfers expect. The all-new Wilson Staff Model High-Toe Wedges combine a high toe and wide sole with a 431 stainless steel head to allow for enhanced shotmaking when approaching the green. The high toe and wide sole construction provide players with the ï¬&#x201A;exibility to vary loft.

“The new Staff Model and Staff Model High-Toe Wedges deliver a clean design, and precision milled clubfaces to give golfers a boost in conﬁdence in their short game,” said Pergande. “Designed with the feedback from our Wilson Staff PGA Tour players, the new line of wedges gives golfers more control, consistency and shot-making capabilities,” he added. Adding to the game improvement clubs is the all-new DUO Soft+ golf balls, designed as the world’s softest and longest two-piece golf ball. The ball features the all-new Velociticor ™ technology for even greater distance.

The DUO Soft+ is a premium two-piece golf ball, featuring an all-new core technology, Velociticor ™. This technology uses advanced materials to extract and amplify every ounce of power from a player’s swing, which gives golfers greater distance with every shot. “DUO Soft+ was engineered to give players the ideal blend of longer distances and exceptional feel,” said Frank Simonutti, Global Director of Golf Ball Innovaton. “In our testing of DUO Soft+, the Wilson LABS team found that when using a driver, the initial velocity of the ball increased by two miles per hour …. with our Velociticor™ technology, we are able to make our DUO lineup even longer while maintaining the soft feel the brand is known for.” The new DUO Soft+ comes with 35 compression, giving golfers a ball that not only ﬂies farther but one that provides the desired feel and touch around the course. In conjunction with the DUO Soft+ launch is the DUO Optix which is built with a smaller core and designed with a semi-translucent highly visible and colourful matte cover. The new DUO Optix packs more distance and is even brighter to ensure a can’t miss ball that always stands out. It features a soft, highly resilient polybutadiene core, and the DUO Optix gives players exceptional feel and straighter shots from tee to green.

One of the toughest busine challenged as it is very fas of trends, it is also an indu Nike, adidas and Under Ar top end of the industry. Th try and take a shot at takin leaving behind a trail of re battlefield of behemoths. N super-charged adrenaline

esses to be in has got to be the apparel industry. It is an industry that is constantly shion and fad driven. Perhaps even fickle. Besides being very consumer driven in terms ustry that is dominated by giants especially in the sector of sports apparel. Brands like rmour are massive multi-billion dollar conglomerates that have a firm foothold at the eir dominance is so pervasive that it serves as a mighty deterrent to any wannabe to ng a bite off the big pie. Many new players who have tried have simply withered away ed ink. That said, it takes a very special breed of entrepreneur to try and make it in this Not only does it take iron guts to get into the battle pit, but it requires larges dozes of e to stay and fight for the long haul.

ne such company that has displayed the

story that started in Asia and has grown to become a global

will and stamina to stay on and ﬁght for its

presence. A story that needs to be told and more impor-

share of the market is Fenix XCell led by a

tantly, a venture that needs to be supported and encour-

spunky young Scotsman who answers to

aged to survive for the long haul against some of the most

the name Michael Moir. This young entre-

formidable names in the business of sports apparel.

preneur took on the challenge to make a name for himself

ASIAN GOLF met up with Moir recently to talk about his

back in 2008 and since then, he has encountered and over-

journey and to investigate the young entrepreneur’s plans.

come a slew of challenges that would have many running

The following are excerpts from that discussion:

for cover. Based in Thailand, Moir got knocked down many

ASIAN GOLF: Can you reﬂect on how the Fenix brand started and how you’ve grown it to where it is today?

times in the early days of the company but being the ﬁghter that he is, he always came back with gusto and never once did he look back on his setbacks. Instead, he was spurred on to think bigger and keep on going. Twelve years later, Moir has built himself an empire that straddles the world and it’s growing all the time. ASIAN GOLF has tracked the trials, tribulations and successes of Moir ever since he embarked on his ambitious campaign to take on the giants of the trade. His is a success

What were some of the challenges you faced? MICHAEL MOIR: It all started as an idea to supply good quality merchandise to golf events in Thailand that I played in. Basically, providing brand quality without the brand price. I still look back and wonder how it all formed into a brand, but it seemed to happen naturally, Scott Hend (a leading golf

MOVING ON ALMOST 10 YEARS, WE NOW HAVE A WORLDWIDE CUSTOMER BASE, PLAYERS ON ALL MAJOR TOURS AND OUR PRODUCT IN SOME OF THE BEST CLUBS AROUND THE WORLD.

WITH THE INCEPTION OF PRIVATE ESTATE, OUR NEW PREMIUM ADDITION TO THE BRAND, WE NOW HAVE AN UNPARALLELED SELECTION FOR ALL CLIENTELE. MATTE

MUNRO

professional) played a big part in that by being willing to wear

quality of product and perhaps most importantly relationship

the few shirts we had on tour when we had not really created

management with our clients – this is how we can overcome

anything yet.

the obstacles.

Moving on almost 10 years, we now have a worldwide customer base, players on all major tours and our product in some of the best clubs around the world. With the inception of Private Estate, our new premium addition to the brand, we now have an unparalleled selection for all clientele.

ASIAN GOLF: How did you go about creating a niche for your brand in what many consider to be a crowded space occupied by some of the giants in the sports apparel business?

MOIR: Our niche is and always will be our ﬂexibility, working

ASIAN GOLF: For a young man with a young brand, you’ve certainly come a long way. Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently with the beneﬁt of hindsight? MOIR: Honestly speaking, I wish I had created Private Estate a long time ago and positioned the Fenix XCell brand a bit stronger. We were too eager to get business and we often dropped prices and sponsored too much, meaning that our positioning was not as strong as we wanted because we were expected to sponsor or give the product away. Now, we are in

a bit harder than others to go the extra mile for the customer.

a different position and we can say no to the deals that do not

Giving them options, that others don’t provide. In addition to

provide us with a good ROI or just are purely based on a price

this, as we grow, this ﬂexibility also comes with a product

point. I have no regrets in what we have achieved - we learn

quality that can rival any major brand.

from our mistakes and we grow stronger from it.

ASIAN GOLF: What did you compete on – was it based on quality or price?

ASIAN GOLF: Give us a sense as to how many markets you cover in Asia and the rest of the world?

we have grown, this is impossible as there will always be

Singapore, Oman, United States, United Kingdom and in

those who want to be like you, just like we aspire to be the

Vietnam in 2020. We also have distribution and agents in

next Peter Millar, Under Armour etc. We will always offer the

Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan,

client the illusion that they can offer the same as we can.

New Zealand, Australia, Qatar, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain,

We will always place special emphasis on brand building,

Portugal, Spain, Uganda and Nigeria.

MOIR: I used to think we had to compete on price, but as

STEWART

MOIR: We currently have our own ofﬁces set up in Thailand,

NEVIS

STIRLING

CAIRN

GLENN

LEVEN

Targets for next year are to formalise strong partnerships in China, India and Canada.

ASIAN GOLF: Where have you seen the best acceptance of your brand? MOIR: Thailand obviously as we have been here from the beginning, but Oman, Philippines, and the United States have seen fantastic growth and potential and I am sure there will be more to come.

ASIAN GOLF: How do you position your brand in the international marketplace? MOIR: As we have the three sub brands now, we position them accordingly. Fenix Custom-made to order, to any budget, any design. Fenix XCell – our mainstream retail brand, positioned at the $40-60USD price point. Private Estate – our premium label which is positioned at $79-129USD

ASIAN GOLF: Fenix XCell has some stunning designs which are unique to it – is all your design work done in-house? MOIR: Yes, they are, and a great amount of credit goes to the team who work on this year-round.

ASIAN GOLF: Shifting gears, you recently started showcasing your products at the PGA Merchandise Show in North America. What sort of traction did you get in America? MOIR: As everyone knows, the biggest market in the world by far is North America, we have a long way to go, but we had some great initial orders especially from very private clubs. I will be spending at least 50% of my time there in

FENIX BRANDING

2020 and possibly more in 2021 onwards so I am looking forward to the new challenge and potential. We have launched Private Estate in late 2018 and the feedback has been fantastic, both in the United States and at the top clubs all over Asia. With the introduction of the Private Estate brand as a door opener, it has also exposed our other strengths, mainly the custom business, which allows us to potentially supply both ends of the spectrum to golf courses, including staff uniforms.

ASIAN GOLF: Are you taking Private Estate global and how do you see your brand stacking up against the likes of Nike, Adidas, FootJoy etc.? MOIR: Yes 100%! Private Estate is going to be positioned

at a higher price level than the names you mentioned. The market we are going into are key markets for exclusive brands like Peter Millar, Bobby Jones, Donald Ross and Turtleson. Private Estate is really the country club collection product, moving into a lifestyle product which is not to be worn just on the golf course, but for other occasions as well. Personally, my focus in 2020 and beyond is this. I have a great team in place to keep growing Fenix Custom and Fenix XCell so I am sure we will be growing in all divisions.

PRIVATE ESTATE IS REALLY THE COUNTRY CLUB COLLECTION PRODUCT, MOVING INTO A LIFESTYLE PRODUCT WHICH IS NOT TO BE WORN JUST ON THE GOLF COURSE, BUT FOR OTHER OCCASIONS AS WELL.

PRIVATE ESTATE SPRING 2020

FENIX ACCESSORIES

FENIX GOLF CHALLENGE 2019

OUR NICHE IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE OUR FLEXIBILITY, WORKING A BIT HARDER THAN OTHERS TO GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR THE CUSTOMER. GIVING THEM OPTIONS, THAT OTHERS DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T PROVIDE. IN ADDITION TO THIS, AS WE GROW, THIS FLEXIBILITY ALSO COMES WITH A PRODUCT QUALITY THAT CAN RIVAL ANY MAJOR BRAND.

FENIX GOLF CHALLENGE 2019

STS SPORTS TURF SOLUTIONS CO., LTD

290 Jareonpattana Rd, Bangchan, Klongsamwa, Bangkok, Thailand, 10510 Tel: +66 2-540-3180 | Fax: +66 2-540-3181 | e-mail: Brad@sportsturfsolutions.com | www.sport

tsturfsolutions.com

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Tiger Woods ended 2019 the same way he started it. As a winner! It started 245 days ago at The Masters Tournament, when Tigerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unforgettable year began with his first major championship in 11 years and first green jacket in 14 years. It continued into late October, when he matched Sam Snead atop the PGA TOURâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all-time wins list with his 82nd career victory at The ZOZO Championship. And it ended here, at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, where Tiger willed the United States team to a stirring 16-14 win at the Presidents Cup over a formidable International Team. The group did so behind the strength of their playing captain, who was the only player on either side to win each of his matches.

The Presidents Cup has come and gone. While there was great hope that Team International led by the big South African Ernie Els, would pull off a surprise win, it proved not to be. Instead, the indomitable spirit of the legendary Tiger Woods transformed Team USA into a Þghting machine that fought back on the Þnal day to retain the prestigious Presidents Cup yet again. ASIAN GOLF re-lives the nailbiting excitement of the big tournament through the PGA TOUR’s Chuah Choo Chiang. This is his report:

iger went 3-0-0 on the week to reach 27 career wins in the biennial event, passing Phil Mickelson for most career victories in the event’s 25-year history. It was a poetic ending to one of the best years in the

sport’s storied history.

“It was pretty awesome to play for the greatest player ever,” said Matt

Kuchar, who clinched the U.S. victory with a birdie at No. 17 on Sunday. “To have a chance to make a team captained by the greatest player ever that is also a player on the team. I can’t tell you how unique, how cool of a thing that is, to not only play for him but alongside him. “For us to be in a hole and to come back and win this thing was such a thrill. One, to win it as a team, but to do it with Tiger Woods as our captain was just a huge thrill.” Tiger was overcome with emotion following his team’s comeback victory, and for good reason. Since the moment he was ofﬁcially named the U.S. captain at the 2018 Arnold Palmer Invitational, Tiger has viewed his position with both responsibility and pride. From the outset, Tiger ever the competitor that he is - made it his mission to once more beat his long-time rival Ernie Els, captain of this year’s International Team. He got it! “I’ve cried in pretty much every Cup we’ve won,” Tiger said. “I’ve been doing this a long time. Any time you have moment where you’re able to do something that is bigger than us as an individual is so much more meaningful and so much more special.” Tiger’s moment did not come easy, however. The United States trailed all three days before its stirring comeback in Sunday Singles, as the analytics minded Els seemed to play every matchup correctly.

TIGER, THE STORY OF HIS RESILIENCE, COMING BACK FROM WHAT HE HAS WITH INJURIES AND EVERYTHING THAT HE’S BEEN THROUGH, I THINK EACH OF US BELIEVED IN EACH OTHER BECAUSE WE KNOW WE COULD DO WHAT WE DID TODAY, AND WE REALLY BELIEVED THAT WE COULD WIN THE CUP. “WE ARE VERY INSPIRED TO PLAY FOR TIGER, WITH TIGER, AND IT’S SO SATISFYING TO WIN THIS CUP BECAUSE OF THAT,” HE CONTINUED. “I THINK WE ALL BELIEVE IN EACH OTHER AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE JOB DONE FOR OUR CAPTAIN AND PLAYING CAPTAIN.

– TONY FINAU

WE WERE UP EARLY IN A LOT OF MATCHES AND IT CAME DOWN TO THE VERY END.

WE KNEW THAT WAS WE HAD SOME REALLY STRONG GUYS AT THE END. ACTUALLY, STRONG GUYS FROM 1 THROUGH 12. WE GOING TO HAPPEN.

WERE EXCITED ABOUT GOING INTO THIS SESSION.

I KNOW WE LOST THE TWO-TEAM SESSIONS AFTER THE FOUR-TEAM SESSIONS, BUT WE WERE EXCITED ABOUT OUR CHANCES GOING INTO SINGLES AND WE DID IT AS A TEAM.

– TIGER WOODS

The Internationals put together a 4-1 advantage after Thursday Four-Balls, its first day-one lead since 2005 and largest advantage ever after the first session. And Friday Foursomes appeared on track to follow the same pattern, as the team led in all five matches on the back nine and was projected at one point to go up 9-1 on the scoreboard. But Tiger’s group managed to carve out some hope when it won a pair of matches 1 up on the 18th hole. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele got the rally underway when Cantlay sunk a 14-foot birdie to beat Joaquin Niemann and Adam Hadwin, and Tiger and Justin Thomas did the same 30 minutes later against Hideki Matsuyama and Byeong Hun An despite

we didn’t quite finish it off on that particular time.” Though the Internationals would begin Saturday’s double session with a 6.5-3.5 lead, only its third advantage after two sessions in the event’s history, Els knew the Friday stalemate was a massive blow to his team’s shot at an upset. The U.S. had been headed for its first Foursomes loss in 14 years. Instead, the late rally provided a jolt of much-needed confidence into a team that began the Presidents Cup on shaky footing. “There’s not many times when you get a team like that under the pump like that,” he said. “It was great, but it could have been unbelievable. It could have been a knockout blow. That was probably the difference. We had so much momentum. We had so much going for us… that’s 2.5 points, and where we are, we are 1.5 points shy. So absolutely, that was something.” The heavyweight bout continued into the following day, when the Internationals opened up a 9-5 lead after winning the morning Four-Ball session 2.5-1.5. But the United States charged back once more in afternoon Foursomes, putting together a 3-1 session win and narrowly pulling off a clean sweep. Marc Leishman and Abraham Ancer were five down through 10 holes against Thomas and Fowler, only to pull even and earn half-point for the Internationals. Niemann and An also did the same with a late two-hole deficit, though An missed a chance at a full point when his six-foot putt came up short at the last. Despite that, the late heroics were enough to salvage a 10-8 advantage for the Internationals heading into the final day, the first time it had taken a lead into Singles since 2003. It wouldn’t last. “Before the week started, we had a plan to get to 10 points by Saturday evening,” Els said. “So that’s why we were so excited (Saturday), losing 3-1, because we knew we got to 10 not holding a lead since the sixth hole. “I know one thing – if we don’t make those putts, this is a pretty deep deficit,” Thomas said. But the U.S. saved its biggest triumph for the last, when Rickie Fowler and Gary Woodland erased a 2-up advantage for the Internationals with three holes to

points. I could have made different choices in the singles. I can take it on my shoulders. It is what it is.” A dominant display by the United States clinched its eighth consecutive win in the series, and it all started with Captain Tiger setting the tone. Tiger went out ﬁrst against the surprising Ancer, who led

play. The Americans carded birdies on Nos. 16 and 17

the International Team alongside fellow rookie Sungjae Im with

after sticking their approach shots within 10 feet, then

3.5 points. But the Reynosa, Mexico, product never led against

the teams halved the 18th to end in a tie.

one of the best to ever play, as Tiger put together a 3&2 victory

“I wouldn’t say we totally lost momentum, but it was, to me, I felt it was a bit of a blow,” Els said later.

to begin the U.S. comeback. “Tiger, the story of his resilience, coming back from what

“The team didn’t react in that way which I was really

he has with injuries and everything that he’s been through, I

proud of, but me as captain, and I didn’t reveal it to

think each of us believed in each other because we know we

them, but I felt we had them right in the headlock, and

could do what we did today, and we really believed that we

could win the Cup,” Tony Finau said. “We are very inspired

happen. We had some really strong guys at the end. Actually,

to play for Tiger, with Tiger, and it’s so satisfying to win this

strong guys from 1 through 12. We were excited about going

Cup because of that,” he continued. “I think we all believe

into this session. I know we lost the two-team sessions

in each other and we were able to get the job done for our

after the four-team sessions, but we were excited about our

captain and playing captain.”

chances going into singles and we did it as a team.”

Finau delivered his own stirring moment, rallying from

It is Tiger’s job to share credit for this win, which

4 down through 10 holes against Matsuyama to salvage a

moved the U.S. to 11-1-1 all-time at the Presidents Cup.

tie. He won four straight holes from Nos. 11 to 14 to square

But his own players and captain’s assistants are quick to

the match, then after Matsuyama regained the lead on

applaud their leader.

the 16th, he promptly three-putted from 25 feet on the

“I love seeing other people cry, especially Tiger

ensuing hole before ending in a tie. With Patrick Reed and

Woods,” assistant Steve Stricker said. “Tiger did an unbe-

Dustin Johnson dominating their matches with C.T. Pan

lievable job. It was a privilege. And we’ll keep this on the

and Haotong Li, respectively, it was a critical hit to a reeling

forefront of our minds forever.”

International squad. Matsuyama’s team eventually lost its shot at a win

Tiger’s performance in Australia brought things full circle in 2019. After tying Sam Snead atop the all-time wins

after Adam Hadwin missed a 14-foot putt at the last against

list two months ago, he did it once more when he became

Bryson DeChambeau to half the match and leave only a

the ﬁrst playing captain to go undefeated in his team’s vic-

chance at a tie in play for the Internationals. And that soon

tory since Snead at the 1959 Ryder Cup.

went by the wayside, too, as Louis Oosthuizen lost a 3-up advantage against Kuchar, who closed out the U.S. win with a vital half point. “We were up early in a lot of matches and it came down to the very end,” Tiger said. “We knew that was going to

It was quite the year for Tiger Woods. “All of us will look back and have these pictures hanging on our walls and say we played for and alongside Tiger Woods, the greatest player ever,” Kuchar said. “It was awesome.”

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